Life Post Injury-20 Years On

20 years is a long time. Two decades. Part of me sees life post injury-20 years on as a positive, and part of me still struggles.

5th March 2005 is a date that is etched on my mind. There are a few of those, like the 5th May 2006, the date I was admitted to hospital, and the 13th July 2011, the date my leg broke in hospital.

A Different Path

My life is not what I expected. But then who’s life actually goes how they expected? There are normally bumps in the road. Events people don’t plan. Some people’s lives are just very different from that initial vision of a child or teenager growing up. Mine is definitely true of that.

My vision as a healthy young teenager was of being a doctor or physiotherapist, not an accountant, but if it turned into accountancy, it would definitely be that I was fully qualified and further advanced in my career by now. 

I thought I would be married and have a family now, be an auntie and so much more. I thought my parents would be grandparents. Through disability and life changing events this is not the case. I am not going to lie. It is hard.

Part of me struggles to let go of what I have missed. That life, with maybe just a few bumps in the road, instead of the mountains I have had. However, part of me embraces the new life. It’s no good getting upset about what might have been, you have to strive to make the most of your new direction and what you do have.

Life Post Injury-20 Years On-I am Proud

I am proud of what I have achieved, how far I have come. Disability, and both negative experiences to do with it and positive opportunities have enabled me to discover skills and talents in other areas. For example, without blowing my own trumpet, I would have never have known that I was a good public speaker, I would have probably never written a blog- English was always my weaker subject. I have discovered and developed these skills because of my disability.

I can make a difference and that feels good. I understand and can empathise with others. Sometimes you have to have experienced aspects of life to understand.

I still have a long journey, and who knows how far that journey will take me with gaining mobility. My powerchair is a life line and the journey with my four-wheeled walker, crutches and independence continues.

Life Post Injury-20 Years On-What Have I Achieved?

Education and Work

I have achieved quite a bit, from passing my Maths and English GCSE a year and a half apart in hospital. Despite being bedbound, with a scribe and being turned halfway through. To attending college part time and getting my Science GCSE. After this I completed my Association Accounting Technicians (AAT) level 2, 3 and 4 in my twenties. To passing 5 of my (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) ACCA exams in my thirties.

I have got a job and have increased my hours over the years from 4-14 a week. I have now officially been an employee for 4 years!

Advocacy and Speaking

Over the years I have done a TEDx speech, spoken on the television and radio, at AGMs, various fundraising and awareness events. I have spoken at the Houses of Parliament, written and been featured in many articles in magazines, newspapers, been interviewed on podcasts and more. I have set up and post regularly on my blog ‘Hannah’s Hope’, co-founded and currently co-chair the Disability Awareness Network (DAWN) at work and became an ambassador for White Lodge and Purple Tuesday.

It is important to remember how far we have all come

Mobility and Health

From defining the odds and taking steps again after being told I wouldn’t. To progressing from being bedbound for 3.5 years, to being hoisted into a powerchair for 1 hour twice a week, to learning to sit unaided on a plinth, to learning to slide board into my powerchair and increasing the duration. To being stood up in a powered standing frame, to learning to stand with an atlas frame to a four wheeled walker and taking steps. To taking a few steps with crutches, splints and a lot of support last year for the first time in 19 years.

It has been a journey.

Four years in hospital and one and a half in a neuro centre, 70 miles from home.

How did we cope?

@hannahedeakin

20 years on since my injury. My rehabilitation journey continues. Never give up. Believe in yourself. Sometimes it is good to realise and acknowledge how far you have come. You can do it! Video description: A collection of photos and videos showing Hannah’s journey over the last 20 years from the day of her netball injury. #injury #injuryrecovery #rehabilitation #crps #brokenfemur #hypermobileehlersdanlossyndrome #spasms #fatigue #wheelchair #wheelchairuser

♬ original sound – Kelly Clarkson Show

How Did we Cope?

I don’t know. You just have to keep going. One step (literally) at a time, putting one foot in front of the other. Getting through each day. You either keep going or you don’t. Luckily, we chose to keep going. All of us. There were several times in particular, I remember I could have given up, but somehow, I didn’t. My family have been a lifeline. My Mum, Dad and brother, Ben are all a tower of strength. When you have that strength and support around you it is invaluable. I don’t think I could have done it without them.

Friends and family have been there for us, which too makes all the difference. Visitors in hospital and the neuro centre during the ‘long’ stint, but also in the short stints of a few weeks in hospital here and there, five weeks when I had my second hip surgery, three months rehabilitation.

I love the way I think three months in hospital is a short stay! But I suppose my interpretation of long has changed.

A support network is crucial.

Hope and faith have also helped me. Hope is such a powerful thing. Hope for the future. Hope that things will improve. If we don’t have hope, what do we have? Hence the name ‘Hannah’s Hope’.

I was lucky to meet some wonderful chaplains and chaplaincy volunteers in hospital and the neuro centre, who really helped me, especially during those particularly hard times.

A Difference Perspective

Life experience changes your perspective. Both life changing disability and the loss of my dear brother. It changes you. But I hope it has changed me in a good way.

How Has it Changed Me?

I think I am more thoughtful, considerate, understanding and sensitive to others and their needs. I think I am more mature in my outlook as I have been through a lot of life changing events. Sometimes you have to go through something to really understand.

Regarding disability I think I am more inclusive and accepting to everyone. I know what it is like to be excluded and in a marginalised group and I don’t want anyone to be left out.

What Drives Me to Keep Going in My Life Post Injury?

Frustration that everything is stacked against me, or so many hurdles, and people that don’t believe in me. It makes me even more determined to show my worth and capability. I was always determined but it makes you more determined to prove them wrong.

I want to make a change because I face challenges every day and want disabled people to be appreciated and valued for their true worth. This gives me a purpose.

Strength 

I am surprised how strong I have been, but I think most of us probably have it in us, but we have to dig deep to find it. Fortunately, many people don’t experience situations where this strength needs to be found. But I am sure if and when they did many of them would find their inner strength.

Your support to a family member or friend in a time of need will mean more than you know, and not just in the ‘shocking’ initial stages but as they journey through.

Maybe you know someone who has recently become disabled or diagnosed with a chronic illness? Being there, supporting them and helping them learn and adapt to their life post injury or diagnosis as well as positive gentle suggestions can really help. It can take time to adapt to the new ‘normal’.

Hannah x

You may be interested in reading: 14 Years of Health and 14 Years of Disability